Two bills aimed at disclosure of lobbyist wining and dining are on the verge of being snuffed out in a Senate committee, according to the sponsor of the measures. That’s despite Greg Abbott’s vow to “dedicate this session to ethics reform.”
84th Legislative Session
Posted inState Government
School Finance Plan Praised in Capitol Hearing
A plan to overhaul the state’s public education funding system from a top House lawmaker received largely favorable reviews from school districts during a marathon legislative hearing that ended late Tuesday night.
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State Government
Video: Senate Budget Debate Presents a Contrast
The Texas Senate passed out a state budget plan Tuesday that spends $211 billion over the next two years. The budget debate on the Senate floor contrasted greatly with the marathon budget debate in the House two weeks ago.
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State Government
Video: The Future of Transportation
On 4/10, I talked about the future of transportation policy in Texas with Deirdre Delisi, former chair of the Texas Transportation Commission; Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins; former U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk; and state Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman.
Posted in
State Government
Texas Senate Approves $211 Billion Budget
Senators on Tuesday voted 30-1 to approve the state’s two-year budget. It will now go to conference committee to be reconciled with the House version.
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State Government
After Delay, House to Take up Open Carry Bill on Friday
UPDATED: After a technical error caused the Texas House to delay its debate on open carry legislation Tuesday, the legislation is now cleared to go back to the full House floor on Friday.
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Economy
Unable to Tighten Spending Cap, Senate Built a New One
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate Republicans had hoped to amend the Texas Constitution to tighten the state’s spending cap. Short of the needed votes, they passed a measure creating a new cap in state law instead.
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State Government
Analysis: Big Money, Little Ideas in Legislature
With a huge pot of extra money to inspire them or tempt them to make grand proposals, Texas lawmakers have opted for thrift over big ideas. That’s a little out of character.
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Politics
Inside Texas Politics: The Dream Act
On this week’s edition of WFAA-TV’s Inside Texas Politics with host Jim Douglas, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Bud Kennedy and Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey, the show opens with a discussion of the Dream Act.
Posted in
Politics
The Playlist: On the Trail
It’s less than a year until the first presidential primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, and the 2016 race is already well underway, so we start off this week’s playlist off the news with a campaign-themed set.
